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I have a new 2017 Wildcat Maxx 262RGX. I've experienced a problem with the house batteries discharging fully in a matter of hours even when no accessories are turned on. The RV dealer tried to correct the problem several times and could not identify a problem. Today they told me the reason the batteries may have been discharging is because I failed to re-insert the pin for the trailer brake break-away when I unhooked the trailer while camping. I didn't think this would cause a significant power draw. Who's right?
I have been online doing some research on this topic and I found a question posted by an RV owner having the same problem. Apparently the pin for the breakaway should always be left in the controller because when the pin is out it does cause the brakes to engage, thus drawing power from the house batteries. I was not told about this when the dealer gave me the walk through during delivery. I have the breakaway cable looped through my 5th wheel Anderson hitch and I leave it with the truck. I will know now how to manage this matter.
Your dealer is right ... surprisingly. Trailer brakes are activated by the application of power (voltage and resultant current flow) to electromagnets which act to apply the brakes. The break away switch causes FULL battery voltage (and therefore current) to be applied to the brakes, when it is removed. This will kill the batteries very quickly. The disconnect bayonet should NOT be removed when the trailer is stored or parked.
-- Edited by RonC on Monday 24th of July 2017 09:44:10 PM
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Ron and Janice
2016 Ford F350, King Ranch, DRW, 4x4, CC, 6.7 PS Diesel, remote control air lift system
2017 Durango Gold 381REF, Lambright furniture, MCD shades, morRYDE IS, 8K Disc brakes, GY G114 LR H Tires, 27,320 lbs CGVW
Dealer is correct. Breakaway pin should never be removed. Doing so will not only drain the batteries, assuming the charger is not plugged in, it may also ruin the batteries due to full discharge to say little of the potential issues with the magnets in the brakes - assuming non-disc brakes. Could burn up the hydraulic pump motor if the brakes were disc.
That is why it is called a Break Away switch, Never remove it except in an emergency or to do a test. You have probably burned up your brake magnets. Why would you not disconnect the cable from the truck when unhitching your tt.
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2005 Cedar Creek 30RLBS/RV Flex Armour Roof / MORryde Independent Suspension/ Disc Brakes
The reason I pulled the break away pin out is that I looped the cable through a part of my Anderson hitch. I should have removed the cable from the hitch and re-inserted the pin. One of life's lesson learned. We won't be doing that again! Thanks for all the replies.
